Anti-poverty campaigners urged Labour MPs to rebel against the Government in a forthcoming Commons showdown over cuts to disability benefits. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has published laws tightening up the rules governing Personal Independence Payments. The changes mean 800,000 people will no longer receive the benefit, including existing claimants and future applicants.
But the legislation will need to be approved in a series of Commons votes and left-wing think tank the Resolution Foundation is urging MPs to reject it. Iain Porter, Senior Policy Adviser at the think tank, said: “MPs have heard from their constituents the devastating impact these cuts will have on those who are sick and disabled. MPs must now stand up for their constituents, thousands of whom will be pushed into poverty by this Bill, and thousands more even deeper into hardship.
“The government is asking MPs to vote on legislation without being given the whole picture. Ministers still can’t say how many of those who will lose thousands of pounds a year they expect to find work. Our evidence suggests that the numbers will pale into insignificance compared to those who lost out due to the cuts. There has also been no proper assessment of the poverty impact of this Bill or its unintended consequences which may increase costs elsewhere, including further strain on the NHS.
“MPs must use their parliamentary power to resist efforts to pass this legislation until they have a full understanding of what it is they are voting for.”
And James Taylor, Director of Strategy at disability equality charity Scope said: “This bill will be catastrophic for disabled people.
“Cutting benefits will plunge hundreds of thousands into poverty. Over 800,000 will lose at least some financial support from PIP. It will have a devastating effect on disabled people’s health, ability to live independently or work.”
Ms Kendall offered an olive branch to critics by announcing the Bill will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support.
But Mr Taylor said: “A transition period will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end.
“Life costs more if you are disabled, whether or not you are working. The government needs listen to disabled people and change course.”
The reforms – aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – also include a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over.
Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbench Labour MPs over their plans, with dozens of them last month saying the proposals were “impossible to support”.
Ms Kendall said: “Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.
“This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity.
“This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot – putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question asked as to what the next date for debate will be, Labour backbencher and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell could be heard to say “Never”.
A date has not yet been confirmed.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was “determined” to ensure the reforms go through because he feels the welfare system “doesn’t work for anyone”.
“It doesn’t work for those that want to get back to work, and it certainly doesn’t work for the taxpayer,” the Prime Minister told Good Morning Britain, saying “those that need to be protected should be protected”.
“If you need help in support to get into work, the Government should be providing that support and help to get into work,” he said.
“If you do have conditions, disabilities that mean it is impossible for you to work, then you need to be properly protected and supported.”
